Report: Bryan Crawford to be named OHL commissioner
Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek is reporting that the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is set to name RBC Canadian Open Director Bryan Crawford the next OHL commissioner.
Crawford will replace longtime commissioner David Branch. Branch joined the OHL in 1979 as commissioner and has been head of the league for the last 44 years.
OHL News – Expect Bryan Crawford of Golf Canada to be named the next commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League.
Crawford served as Tournament Director of the Canadian Open for the last six years and played in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts.
Crawford brings a wide range of expertise to the table for the OHL, which includes running Canada’s lone PGA Tour event since 2018. Previously, the Hamilton, Ontario native worked in management roles for Canada Basketball and Ontario University Athletics.
Crawford is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) player, having played with the Toronto Argonauts from 2005-11 as a wide receiver.
The official announcement is expected to come this week from the OHL.
Former OHL commissioner David Branch stated in a press release last August, “It has been an honour to serve in this capacity, and I am very thankful for the great deal of support I have received and the tremendous, life-long friendships I have made along the way. I want to thank my family, the Board of Governors, league and team staff, fans, volunteers, on and off-ice officials, media, our partners and most importantly, the players for making the last 44 years so rewarding. I am grateful.”